Rick Whittle - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Rick Whittleposted an update

1489 days ago

Tamiko Tommila, Rose Madura, Alex Hunt and 4 others reacted to this

3 1/2 years post Aortic valve replacement. Lost 80 pounds and feeling great!!

Susan Lynn Congratulations, Rick! You are certainly an inspiration!!! Glad you're feeling great!!! ❤

Rick Whittleposted an update

2505 days ago

Bradley Dunn, Donghua Cai, Kelly Stoll and 1 other reacted to this

One year ago today had Aortic valve replacement surgery. Going on a 2 week dive trip in a few days to celebrate!

Meredith Geneja Enjoy a wonderful celebration! We are with you in spirit:) My surgery is on the 27th. Already planni ... Read more

Meredith Geneja Enjoy a wonderful celebration! We are with you in spirit:) My surgery is on the 27th. Already planning my one-year celebration for next September, just like you! Thank you, for your post.

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary! 💖💖

LINDA ROBERTS Enjoy your trip. Celebrate life!

Rick Whittleposted a journal

2590 days ago

Liz Gephart, Steven Methot reacted to this

No pain anywhere including incision area! After some test new Aortic valve is at 100% with no leakage! Doing everything I want to do, just not as fast since ...Read more

No pain anywhere including incision area! After some test new Aortic valve is at 100% with no leakage! Doing everything I want to do, just not as fast since turning 62 last week. My 41 year old son told my wife and I that we were very active for our age. Trying to decide if that was a compliment or an old age joke.

Susan Lynn Congratulations, Rick! Happy to hear about your excellent result. Regardless of your son's intentio ... Read more

Susan Lynn Congratulations, Rick! Happy to hear about your excellent result. Regardless of your son's intention, I'd be quite flattered to be on the receiving end of that compliment!

Nancy White Thanks for taking the time to send a message and a good one at that. Nancy

Rick Whittleposted a journal

2741 days ago

Melissa A, Toni Z, Mark Wilbur and 6 others reacted to this

At 17 weeks post surgery feeling GREAT! Having joined this group several weeks before surgery and reading others story's and advice, I had no surprises and ...Read more

At 17 weeks post surgery feeling GREAT! Having joined this group several weeks before surgery and reading others story's and advice, I had no surprises and was prepared thru the whole process. Thank You Adam and friends!!

Marie Myers Glad to hear all is well!

Bonnie Stone-Hope Wonderful!!
Good for you.

Gerald Poulton Good to hear Rick 👍

Rick Whittleposted an update

2833 days ago

Daryl McCallum and 1 other reacted to this

At 5 weeks 2 days post surgery. Physical Therapy 3 days a week, working part time. Started driving 17 days after surgery. I plan on going Hunting mid December ...Read more

At 5 weeks 2 days post surgery. Physical Therapy 3 days a week, working part time. Started driving 17 days after surgery. I plan on going Hunting mid December and snow skiing in January. I have lost 23 pounds and working on losing 25 more.

Clayton Mcarthur That's some great progress you keep it up

Marie Myers Wow! That is a great recovery!

Gerald Poulton good job Rick !

Leslie Bakos Proud of you Rick!! You are an inspiration!!!

Rose Madura Keep up the good work!

Rick Whittleposted a journal

2857 days ago

Shannon Gray, John Dodson, Laura Shepherd and 8 others reacted to this

At week 2 post op. Off pain meds, walking 1.5 miles a day and sleeping in my bed. I feel stronger every day.

Laura Jacobs Way to go Rick!! You are doing great!! So glad to hear it.

Gerald Poulton Good job Rick, thanks for the positive report 👍

Laura Shepherd Oh so encouraging!

Clayton Mcarthur Keep On Truckin you'll have it behind you in no time

Kathi Mancuso 👍

Catie B Awesome, Rick!

Leslie Bakos Great Rick!!!!

Michelle Vecchione AWESOME!

Rose Madura Wonderful news ! It's great that you are able to be so active so soon. Glad to hear.

Leslie Bakos Are you on any meds Rick?

Nicholas Ordinans Excellent!

Rick Whittle Leslie the only med I am taking is coumadin

Nancy White KUDOS to you Rick keep up the good work Nancy White

Rick Whittleposted an update

2965 days ago

Looking for recommendations for a surgeon at Cleveland Heart to do Aortic valve replacement.

Rick Whittle Could also go to The Heart Hospital Plano.

Catie B Rick, I don't think you could go wrong either place. My surgeon at Cleveland Clinic was Dr Gosta Pet ... Read more

Catie B Rick, I don't think you could go wrong either place. My surgeon at Cleveland Clinic was Dr Gosta Pettersson; several CC nurses told me he'd be their first choice if they needed surgery. Dr. Lars Swenssen is superb, as is Dr. Eric Roselli. In Plano, there's Dr. William Ryan, very personable and excellent--and others. The Heart Hospital is a high-volume center with great outcomes. Best to you!

Lynda Ruiz Rick, my surgery was at Heart Hospital in Plano. Also saw a poster there that they are affiliated wi ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz Rick, my surgery was at Heart Hospital in Plano. Also saw a poster there that they are affiliated with Cleveland Clinic.

Rick Whittleposted an update

2986 days ago

Aortic valve to be replaced this fall. What about stairs after returning home? TV and recliner is upstairs bathroom downstairs.

Civita Fahey Hi Rick.. i just had mine replaced 5 weeks go and I was able to do stairs from day one.. just do them ... Read more

Civita Fahey Hi Rick.. i just had mine replaced 5 weeks go and I was able to do stairs from day one.. just do them slowly

Bridget Supple Same here. Just make sure you tell whoever comes to take you for a walk while you're in hospital that ... Read more

Bridget Supple Same here. Just make sure you tell whoever comes to take you for a walk while you're in hospital that you have stairs. They should practice with you so you don't get anxious about them. Good luck!

Clare Auten I agree. You will be fine. Just go slow.

Barbara Wood I was told to put both feet on each step, up & down & go slow

Catie B I had no trouble with stairs when I arrived home. Though I was asked to keep the trips up and down to ... Read more

Catie B I had no trouble with stairs when I arrived home. Though I was asked to keep the trips up and down to a minimum at first.

Adam Pick Hey Rick, Here's some info about stairs after heart surgery - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/hear ... Read more

Adam Pick Hey Rick, Here's some info about stairs after heart surgery - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2010/12/06/climbing-stairs-after-surger/.

“Can I Climb Stairs After Heart Surgery When I Return Home?” Asks Teri

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2010/12/06/climbing-stairs-after-surger/

I just received an excellent question from Teri about heart valve surgery recovery, climbing stairs and recliners. Teri writes to me, "Hi Adam - I want to kn

Adam Pick And, some thoughts on recliners... 95 patient comments at https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-su ... Read more

Adam Pick And, some thoughts on recliners... 95 patient comments at https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/19/recliners-beds-after-heart-valve-surgery/.

“Did You Use A Recliner After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Kevin

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/19/recliners-beds-after-heart-valve-surgery/

I just received an email from Kevin about the use of recliners after heart valve surgery. Kevin writes, "Hi Adam - At 58 years of age, it's finally time to g

Rick Whittleposted a journal

2997 days ago

Sue Sanchez Grela reacted to this

Rotator cuff surgery in January, Neck fusion surgery in May now healing and preparing for Aortic valve replacement this fall.

Marie Myers Wow! You have been through a lot already. Hope you find this site helpful as you prepare for another ... Read more

Marie Myers Wow! You have been through a lot already. Hope you find this site helpful as you prepare for another visit to the OR.

Lynda Ruiz Hip Surgery in Feb, Heart surgery in May, Put back on full time oxygen at home at 5000ft. Hoping bre ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz Hip Surgery in Feb, Heart surgery in May, Put back on full time oxygen at home at 5000ft. Hoping breathing will be easier after surgery. I keep thinking people would consider me addicted to the medical field!

Wanda Mroz Sounds like me! Complete shoulder replacement 5 years ago then ohs two years ago! Best of luck for ... Read more

Wanda Mroz Sounds like me! Complete shoulder replacement 5 years ago then ohs two years ago! Best of luck for a successful surgery and smooth recovery! 💞🙏🏻